The fundraiser comes as Rangel faces a slate of 13 alleged ethics violations and awaits a House trial in September. On Tuesday, Rangel tweaked many rank-and-file Democrats during an extraordinary floor speech by daring them to throw him out of the House.

The timing of the high-profile event couldn't have come at a worse moment for jittery Democrats who want Rangel off the political radar screen as they face their worst re-election climate in 16 years. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) joins Rangel in also facing an ethics hearing in September.

But few of Rangel's House colleagues are expected. Only six of New York's 27 House Democrats are likely to attend.

Rangel is accused of failing to pay income taxes on a vacation villa in the Dominican Republic, raising money for a collegiate public affairs center while using Congressional resources and improperly leasing four rent-controlled apartments in Harlem.